Ontological & topological issues wrt. the 'multiverse'

In summary: The multiverse as described by the different definitions does exist, but it has certain properties which make it different from the other definitions.
  • #1
robheus
148
0
Basic premiseses:
Any universe can be expressed using a suitable topology containing points.

At least the following (coherent) definitions exist for the multiverse (there can be more/others):

1. Topological disconnected universes

Universes which could be very much the same as ours, and could have the same or similar topology, but with the property that none of the points of such a universe is connected to any of the points of our universe.

2. Everet universes (parallel worlds)

Based on an interpretation of Quantum physics, in which every time a 'measurement' ("collapse of the wave function") takes place, immediately the world is split (in every point of spacetime) in all the possible outcomes of that measurement. All these universes have an independent existence.
All these "parallel" universes have the property that they have at least one point that is connected to at least one point of our universe, or another universe of this set (the parallel universes branche themselves also).

3. Tegmark universes (mathematical structures)

Every possible mathematical structure exists as a separate universe. Our own is just one of such universes, with the property that it contains self-aware structures.
It can be concluded that all such universes are independent and disconnected from each other.
A mathematical structure is or has not necessary a topology with points, which fall a bit outside our definition.

4. Inflationary universes

Universes based on the cosmological inflation paradigm.
In the topological sense all these universes are connected to our universe. Even if they are called multiverses, in fact they are just part of the same universe (having a common topological space).
Multiverse just extends the definition of the universe.

Basic question

What topological requirements are there to regard a 'multiverse' as "existent", based on the scientific method (ie. the invisible elf sitting on my desk which does not interact with anything in the universe, can be said to not-exist).

Other questions of interest

  • Topology that contains 'gaps'?
  • Topologies that are not simply connected (for example: multiple connected in at least one point)
  • Topologies that have boundaries/edges
  • Other 'strange' topological properties
 
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  • #2
Don't forget the extreme modal realism of David K. Lewis.
 
  • #3
Moridin said:
Don't forget the extreme modal realism of David K. Lewis.

Doesn't the "plurality of worlds" equate to the topological disconnected universes I mentioned (which has no spatiotemporal relationship either).
They could be called the "hypothetical worlds".
 

What is the multiverse theory?

The multiverse theory is the idea that there are multiple parallel universes that exist alongside our own. These universes may have different physical laws, constants, and histories, leading to the possibility of infinite variations of our own universe.

How is the multiverse theory related to ontology?

The multiverse theory has ontological implications because it raises questions about the fundamental nature of reality and what it means to exist. It challenges traditional ideas of a singular, unified reality and instead proposes the existence of multiple realities.

What are the topological issues with the multiverse theory?

One of the main topological issues with the multiverse theory is the concept of causality. If there are multiple universes with different physical laws, it raises questions about how these universes interact with each other and if there is a cause and effect relationship between them.

What evidence supports the existence of a multiverse?

Currently, there is no definitive evidence that proves the existence of a multiverse. Some physicists have proposed mathematical equations and cosmological observations that support the idea, but it is still a highly debated topic in the scientific community.

How does the concept of a multiverse impact our understanding of the universe?

The concept of a multiverse challenges our traditional understanding of the universe and forces us to rethink the nature of reality. It also has implications for theories such as the anthropic principle and the search for extraterrestrial life, as it suggests that there may be an infinite number of habitable worlds beyond our own.

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